FIR against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over social media posts on Gandhi family

The Himachal Pradesh Police has registered an FIR against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in Shimla over her social media posts targeting the Gandhi family, following a complaint alleging that her remarks were inflammatory and could disturb public peace.The case was registered on Friday, November 13, on the basis of a complaint lodged by retired Captain Atul Sharma, a resident of Shimla. The FIR has been filed under Sections 196(1)(b), 353(2) and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Superintendent of Police (Shimla) Gaurav Singh confirmed the registration of the case, saying an investigation would follow.In his complaint, Sharma alleged that Ranaut's posts, shared through her verified social media account on November 10, contained "highly inflammatory insinuations" about the deaths of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her sons, Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The complaint also took objection to references to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who was allegedly described in the posts as a "mysterious foreign national".Sharma claimed that the posts insinuated that Sonia had arrived at a cafe abroad before members of the Gandhi family were killed one after another, eventually leaving her at the helm of the government, accompanied by the remark, "How convenient." The posts also allegedly referred to Maneka Gandhi's expulsion from the family residence following Sanjay Gandhi's death.Sharma argued that the narrative went beyond political criticism and could fuel public hostility, disturb communal harmony and threaten public tranquillity.He further alleged that the posts amounted to circulating misleading information capable of causing fear or alarm and promoting enmity between different groups.In his complaint addressed to the Director General of Police, sent by email at 7.51 pm on Thursday, Sharma sought the immediate registration of an FIR and a time-bound cyber-forensic investigation into Ranaut's posts.Police said the matter is being investigated.- Ends(With additional inputs from Vikas Sharma and PTI)